Starting a business in Shiawassee County
The actual steps, the actual state fees, and the local offices you'll deal with — presented with our sponsor, Michigan LLC Service.
1. Pick the business — and check the name
Before anything official, search Michigan's business registry to make sure your name isn't taken, and check the domain while you're at it. Michigan requires an LLC name to end in "LLC" or "L.L.C."
2. Form the LLC (this is the $50 step everyone overcomplicates)
Michigan charges a $50 state fee to file Articles of Organization with LARA, and standard processing runs 2–5 business days. You can file yourself at the state's MiBusiness portal — or a formation service handles the filing, keeps your home address off the public record with a registered agent, and includes an operating agreement. This step-by-step Michigan LLC guide walks through the whole thing, and this cost breakdown shows every fee the state actually charges — useful even if you file on your own.
3. Get your EIN — free, from the IRS only
Your federal tax ID takes about 10 minutes at irs.gov and costs nothing. Never pay a third-party site that charges for the free EIN process without telling you.
4. Open a business bank account
Bring your stamped Articles of Organization, your operating agreement, and your EIN letter. Keeping business money separate from personal money is what makes the liability protection real.
5. Local licenses, the county, and the Chamber
Depending on the business: food service goes through the Shiawassee County Health Department, contractors need state licensing, and most storefronts should talk to their city or township about zoning before signing a lease. The Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce is worth the call either way.
6. Mark February 15
Every Michigan LLC owes the state a $25 annual statement each February 15. Miss it long enough and the state dissolves the company — set the reminder now.
Business services for Shiawassee County — LLC formation from $89 with the state fee included, custom business websites live in five days, Google Business Profile setup, and ongoing support: annual statement filings, EINs, and registered agent service that keeps your home address off public records.